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Have you ever waited at an intersection, thinking that the oncoming traffic needed to pass before you could turn left, only to realize that they were never planning to pass at all? If so, you probably understand how frustrating it can be when other drivers fail to signal a turn.

This article will explain not only when turn signals are required but also what the law says about them in every state WinIt currently services.

When Are Turn Signals Required?

Turn signals are required any time you are making a turn. This is true regardless of whether you see other vehicles nearby. After all, plenty of accidents are caused because the driver of one vehicle didn’t know the other was there. Although the law varies from state to state, the general rule of thumb is that you should use your turn signal in all of the following situations:

• When turning.
• When making a u-turn.
• When pulling into a parking space.
• When merging into another lane.
• Any other time when you want to notify a driver which direction you’re going.

Failure to Signal and Auto Accidents

According to data collected by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), nearly two million car accidents are caused by drivers failing to use their turn signals each year. Many of these accidents occurred when merging lanes or turning when nobody was thought to be nearby, which highlights the need to use your turn signal properly regardless of whether you think anybody is around.

Failure to Signal Laws and Penalties by State

Legal research can take quite a bit of time and effort, even more if you don’t have years of experience with the law. Fortunately, we at WinIt are here to help! We’ve gone through and analyzed the laws of nearly a dozen states to provide you with all of the information about “failure to signal” tickets that you could possibly need. 

Failing to Signal in California

Failure to signal is a misdemeanor traffic violation in California.

The Law

California’s laws on failing to use a turn signal are codified in section 22108 of the state’s Vehicle Code (§22108 VC). Under this law, you must activate your turn signal at least 100 feet before beginning a turn or lane change. Failure to do so will result in you earning one of California’s “failure to signal” tickets, which can have some steep penalties.

There also exists legal precedent (which is legally binding policy set out in courts rather than in the law itself) backing three additional requirements:

• The turning driver must “use reasonable care in the operation of a vehicle,”
• The turning driver must “make proper observations,”
• The turning driver must “exercise care in completing a turn to avoid collisions.”

Penalties

The penalties for failing to use your turn signal in California are as follows: 

• A fine of $238.00.
• One point on your driving record.
• A criminal record and possible jail time.
• Potential insurance increases.
• Possible suspension or revocation of your driver license.

Pleading the Ticket

If you want to contest this ticket in court, you will need to plead not guilty. However, if you want to accept all of the penalties and charges, then you can instead plead either guilty or no contest. Here are three common defenses against failure to turn tickets in California:

• Arguing that you did, in fact, use your signal.
• Arguing that you were forced to drive as such due to an emergency.
• Arguing that there was not 100 feet of roadway for you to signal.  

Failing to Signal in Florida

Failure to signal is a non-criminal traffic infraction in Florida.

The Law

Section 316.155(1-5) of the Florida Statutes defines when turn signals are required:

• When switching lanes on a highway.
• When turning right or left (the signal must be activated 100 feet in advance. Bicyclists do not need to hand-signal constantly; once will do).
• When stopping or suddenly decreasing the speed of a vehicle.
• When intending to overtake or pass another driver.

Penalties

The Florida legislature considers most non-serious traffic violations to be civil matters, which means you cannot face jail time. However, the following penalties can still apply:

• A fine of $500.00.
• Mandatory court costs.
• Three points on your driving record.
• Potential insurance increases.
• Up to 12 hours of driver’s ed classes.
• Possible suspension or revocation of your driver license.

Pleading the Ticket

Florida permits all three common plea options for non-criminal traffic tickets in its courts: guilty, not guilty, and no contest. To contest a ticket in court, you have to plead not guilty.

Failing to Signal in Georgia

Failure to signal is a misdemeanor traffic violation in Georgia.

The Law

Section 40-6-123 of the Georgia Code details what turning movements are required and how to properly signal them. Violating one of the provisions of this law is how you wind up with a failure to signal ticket in Georgia. Those provisions are as follows:

• You can only stop or slow down if done safely.
• You must provide ample time between the activation of your signal and the beginning of the turn.

Penalties

Georgia is known for having some of the steepest penalties for traffic tickets in the nation. Failure to signal tickets are no exception. Here are just a few of the possible penalties:

• A fine of $1,000.00.
• Three points on your driving record.
• Insurance increases for several years.
• Possible suspension or revocation of your driver license.
• A criminal record and possible jail time.

Pleading the Ticket

Georgia permits all three common plea options for most traffic tickets in its courts: guilty, not guilty, and no contest (a.k.a., nolo contendere). To contest a ticket in court, you have to plead not guilty.

Failing to Signal in New York

Failure to signal is a non-criminal traffic infraction in New York.

The Law

Sections 1163(a) and 1163(b) of New York state’s Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL) cover one of the state’s most commonly cited violations: failure to signal. Here are the requirements governing the use of turn signals in New York:

• You must signal when merging lanes.
• You must signal when turning.
• You must signal at least 100 feet in advance.

Penalties

Like most other states, New York will impose a fine for this violation. However, it also imposes other penalties. Here’s a list of potential penalties for failing to signal in New York:

• A fine of $150.00 for a first offense (the fine increases by $150 for each subsequent violation up to a maximum of $450 after a third conviction).
• Two points on your driving record.
• Either an $88 or $93 surcharge, depending on where the violation occurred.
• Driver responsibility assessment (DRA) fees of at least $300.
• Insurance increases for several years.
• Possible suspension or revocation of your driver license.

Pleading the Ticket

Unfortunately, most New York state courts neither offer plea deals nor accept no contest pleas. You can only plead either guilty or not guilty. To contest a ticket in the state, you must plead not guilty.

Here are a few common defenses to failure to signal tickets in New York:

• Arguing that you did, in fact, use your turn signal as required by law.
• Arguing that there was nobody else around to signal to.
• Arguing that you intended to use your signal but the equipment was broken.

Failing to Signal in New Jersey

Failure to signal is a non-criminal traffic infraction in New Jersey.

The Law

Section 39:4-126 of the New Jersey Annotated Statutes (NJSA) regulates the use of hand signals, turn signals, and brake lights. In order to remain in compliance with this law (and to avoid a ticket) you will need to do all of the following:

• Use your turn signal when turning, no matter where you are.
• Exercise due caution and care for safety when turning.
• Signal at least 100 feet in advance.
• Use the proper hand signals when riding a bike or driving with broken turn signals.

The correct hand signals to signal a turn in New Jersey are:

• Left turn: Extend your left hand and arm horizontally away from the vehicle.
• Right turn: Extend your left hand and arm vertically up toward the sky.
• Stop or decrease speed: Extend your left hand and arm downward toward the ground.

Penalties

The penalties for failure to signal in New Jersey are significantly less burdensome than those of other states like Georgia, but they can still pose a serious financial challenge. Here they are:

• A fine of $85.00.
• Two points on your driving record (which might result in an additional $150.00 fine).
• Insurance increases for several years.
• Possible suspension or revocation of your driver license.

Pleading the Ticket

When pleading to a traffic ticket in New Jersey, you can select either guilty or not guilty. There is no option to plead no contest to most traffic violations in New Jersey.

Failing to Signal in Pennsylvania

Failure to signal is a non-criminal traffic infraction in Pennsylvania.

The Law

Title 75, section 3334 of the consolidated Pennsylvania Statutes (Pa.C.S.A.) codifies the following rules pertaining to the use of turn signals:

• You have to exercise due care when turning, merging lanes, or entering traffic from a stopped position.
• You have to activate your turn signal at least 100 feet in advance (when moving under 35 miles per hour).
• You have to activate your turn signal at least 300 feet in advance (when moving 35 miles per hour or faster).

If you can’t match this legal section number with what’s on the ticket, look for charge code 22108 (Signal Required Before Turning or Changing Lanes) instead.

Penalties

There is a long list of fines and fees associated with a failure to signal ticket in Pennsylvania. One after another, they can really add up to a steep cost. Here are the most likely penalties you could be facing if convicted of one of these tickets:

• A fine of $238.00.
• One point on your driving record.
• Insurance increases for several years.
• Possible suspension or revocation of your driver license.

Pleading the Ticket

For most Pennsylvania traffic violations, you have three plea options to choose from: not guilty, guilty, and no contest. If you want to contest the ticket in court, you will have to enter a plea of not guilty.

Failing to Signal in Texas

Failure to signal is a misdemeanor traffic violation in Texas.

The Law

There are several sections of the Texas Transportation Code that relate to the use of turn signals. Sections 545.104, 545.105, and 545.106 govern how, when, and even why you should use a turn signal (or hand signal or similar signal). Here are a few of the legal requirements under this law:

• You have to use your turn signal whenever making a turn, changing lanes, or joining traffic from a parked position.
• You have to activate your signal at least 100 feet in advance.
• You are not allowed to use your turn signal to send a “do pass” message to other drivers.
• You have to signal before stopping or suddenly decreasing speed.

Penalties

Any (or all) of the following penalties can apply when you are convicted of failing to signal a turn in the state of Texas:

• A fine of $180.00 (plus an additional $270.00 if you caused an accident).
• Insurance increases for several years.
• Possible suspension or revocation of your driver license.

Pleading the Ticket

Most of Texas’s traffic courts allow all three plea options (guilty, not guilty, or no contest) in most cases. However, if you want to contest your ticket in court, then you will need to enter a not guilty plea.

Failing to Signal in Washington State

Failure to signal is a non-criminal traffic infraction in Washington State.

The Law

Section 46.61.310 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) details the requirements for the proper legal use of turn signals. In it, the following requirements are laid out:

• You have to exercise due caution and care for safety when turning or switching lanes.
• You have to activate your turn signal at least 100 feet in advance.
• You have to signal your intention to stop or slow down before doing so.
• You are not allowed to flash your turn signal as a “do pass” signal or when your vehicle is disabled.

Penalties

As this is a non-criminal violation, there is very little chance of it sending you to jail. However, that remains a risk if you break other laws in the commission of this violation. Here are some of the more common penalties associated with this violation:

• A fine of $124.00.
• Insurance increases for several years.
• Possible suspension or revocation of your driver license.

Pleading the Ticket

The best way to contest a traffic ticket in Washington state is to plead not guilty and take your case to court.

Why Should I Hire a Lawyer to Fight a Failure to Yield Ticket

Think of going to court like playing a basketball game: Would you want to personally go up against Lebron James or would you rather hire Steph Curry to step onto the court on your behalf?

The expert traffic ticket attorneys that you can find on the WinIt app have years of experience fighting tickets in your area, making them uniquely well suited to disputing the claims put forth by the state’s prosecutors or law enforcement officers.

So what are you waiting for? Download the WinIt app today and get the ball rolling.